Travel Nurse Pay in California 2026: Complete Salary & Stipend Guide

California remains the highest-paying state for travel nurses in 2026, but the market has evolved significantly since the pandemic peaks. Here’s what you can realistically expect—and how to maximize your earnings in the Golden State.

Current California Travel Nurse Pay Rates (2026)

Based on current contract data, here are realistic California pay ranges:

Important: These are post-pandemic normalized rates. If you’re seeing contracts offering $120+/hr blended, verify the details carefully—crisis rates are rare in 2026.

Why California Pays More

California’s premium pay isn’t just about demand. Several factors drive higher compensation:

1. Nurse-to-Patient Ratios California is the only state with legally mandated nurse-to-patient ratios. This creates constant demand:

• ICU: 1:2 ratio
• ER: 1:4 ratio
• Med-Surg: 1:5 ratio

2. Cost of Living Adjustments The GSA per diem rates for California cities are among the highest nationally:

• San Francisco: $292/day ($8,760/month lodging + meals)
• Los Angeles: $241/day
• San Diego: $236/day
• Sacramento: $188/day

3. Strong Union Presence California Nurses Association contracts set high base rates, and travel nurse pay typically exceeds staff rates.

Top-Paying California Cities for Travel Nurses

San Francisco Bay Area

• Average blended rate: $85-$100/hr
• Housing stipend: $3,200-$4,200/week
• Reality check: Housing costs eat 60-70% of stipends. Net take-home may be lower than cheaper cities.

Los Angeles Metro

• Average blended rate: $75-$90/hr
• Housing stipend: $2,800-$3,600/week
• Best value areas: Inland Empire (Riverside, San Bernardino) - lower housing, still LA pay rates

San Diego

• Average blended rate: $72-$88/hr
• Housing stipend: $2,800-$3,400/week
• Pro tip: Contracts in Chula Vista/South Bay often pay LA rates with slightly lower housing costs

Sacramento

• Average blended rate: $70-$85/hr
• Housing stipend: $2,400-$3,000/week
• Best for net income: Lower housing costs mean more money in your pocket

Fresno/Central Valley

• Average blended rate: $65-$80/hr
• Housing stipend: $2,200-$2,800/week
• Hidden gem: Significantly cheaper housing with solid pay rates

California-Specific Contract Considerations

Meal and Rest Break Requirements

California requires:

• 30-minute unpaid meal break before 5th hour
• 10-minute paid rest break per 4 hours

Why it matters: Some hospitals offer “meal break waivers” with premium pay. This can add $100-$300/week.

Mandatory Overtime Rules

California requires overtime pay for:

• Hours over 8 in a day (not just 40/week)
• Hours over 12 in a day = double time

Use our overtime calculator to see how California’s daily OT rules affect your pay.

AB5 and Traveler Classification

The 2020 AB5 law doesn’t typically affect travel nurses working through agencies, but be aware of it if considering per diem or independent contractor arrangements.

How to Maximize Your California Earnings

1. Calculate True Take-Home Pay

High gross pay doesn’t always mean high net pay. Use our pay calculator to compare:

• High-cost Bay Area contract ($95/hr blended, $4,000/week housing)
• Central Valley contract ($75/hr blended, $2,400/week housing)

Often the “lower paying” contract puts more money in your pocket.

2. Consider Drive-In Assignments

If you live within 50 miles of your assignment, you lose tax-free stipend eligibility. But many Northern California facilities offer:

• Mileage reimbursement
• Higher hourly rates to compensate

3. Negotiate Using Bill Rate Data

California facilities typically pay $95-$140/hr bill rates. If you know the bill rate, you can negotiate:

• Ask: “What’s the facility bill rate for this assignment?”
• Push for 70-75% of bill rate as your total compensation

Use our bill rate calculator to estimate what the facility is paying.

4. Stack Certifications

California hospitals pay premiums for:

• CCRN ($2-4/hr premium)
• CEN ($2-3/hr premium)
• TNCC/ENPC ($1-2/hr premium)
• Epic Proficiency (often required, but certified = higher priority)

California Tax Implications

California has the highest state income tax in the nation:

• Top marginal rate: 13.3%
• Middle brackets: 6-9.3%

Stipend strategy matters: Maximizing tax-free stipends is crucial in California. Ensure your tax home is properly established to receive full stipend benefits. Read our tax home guide for details.

Best California Agencies (2026)

These agencies consistently offer competitive California packages:

• Aya Healthcare (San Diego headquarters)
• Medical Solutions
• Trustaff
• Cross Country
• Host Healthcare

Pro tip: Always compare at least 3 agencies for the same facility. Pay can vary 10-15% for identical assignments.

Realistic Expectations for 2026

The California travel nursing market in 2026:

• Demand: Steady, not crisis-level
• Pay: Normalized from pandemic highs
• Competition: Moderate—good nurses still get multiple offers
• Timeline: Expect 2-3 weeks from application to start date

Calculate Your California Contract

Ready to evaluate a California offer? Use our free tools:

• Pay Calculator - Compare contracts and calculate take-home pay
• Blended Rate Calculator - Convert any package to hourly rate
• Overtime Calculator - See daily OT impact (California rules)
• Housing Stipend Guide - Maximize your stipend

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Last updated: January 2026. Pay rates based on aggregated contract data from major travel nursing agencies. Individual offers may vary based on experience, certifications, and specific facility needs.